Kindermusik, a Worldwide Movement

Audra Eldridge enjoys spending her days playing with children and teaching them new skills.

Eldridge, who became an educator in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2006 and relocated to Florida about two years ago, said she feels her true calling is to aide children in having a strong foundation in music, dance and cognitive skills. She works toward that goal through her business, The Joyful Child Studio, which this year began offering Kindermusic classes.

“We welcome special-needs students. Since our class sizes are small -- up to 10 students -- I can give them the special attention they require,” she said.

For many parents, educating toddlers might be a little challenging, especially for first-timeers – and that’s where Kindermusik classes come in, Eldridge says.

Kindermusik is a program that was started in the 1960s by educational experts in Germany with the intent of bringing together music, education and child development. By the mid-1970s the program was introduced to American families and forever changed the way children learn and develop neural functions. Currently, the program can be found in more than 60 countries. Kindermusik involves the parent or caregiver in the classes because it’s important to create a learning interaction between them, according to proponents. The classes are for newborns up to age 7.

Eldridge is passionate about Kindermusik because she said she witnessed first-hand the benefits of the program. Eldridge has encountered several special-needs students who are too shy to interact during the class but once they get home, she said, the parents notice the students repeat the songs or activities learned in class.

“We give parents tools to take home and continue the experience,” Eldridge added.

In January, The Joyful Child Studio began offering Kindermusik in Tampa Palms. Every class lasts 10 weeks and is geared to specific ages. The lessons last 45 minutes and include an array of learning activities like sing-alongs, dancing, playing instruments and learning about shapes and colors.

“While I engage a child in an activity, I explain to the parent why the activity is beneficial to the learning process,” Eldridge said.

Gelie Perez, mother of 3-year-old Gustavo, who goes by the name “Tavo”, said the classes have been a fun learning process for her and her son. Perez said that since Tavo started classes, he began to learn more quickly and be able to put into practice what he learned.

“My son has a great time and thanks to Audra, I have ideas to teach my kid at home,” Perez said.

The summer session of classes is almost over but registration for the new semester will begin in August. Classes are held at two locations:

• Tampa Palms: St Andrews Presbyterian  Church, 5340 Primrose Lake Circle.
• Wesley Chapel: The Atonement Lutheran Church, 29617 State Road 54.

For more information, visit http://thejoyfulchildstudio.weebly.com/index.html